19. A great deal of treasure recovered by divers out of the San Pedro d'Alcan tara, a Spanish galleon from Lima to Cadiz, which was ftranded at Panachi, P. 351. 22. The King of France pays a vifit to Cherburg to view the ftupenduous works carrying on there, p. 350. July 5. An act of parliament takes place, by which all the former 'duties on dif tilling in Scotland are repealed, and a new annual duty laid upon the contents of the Still, p. 357. 5. Sir James Harris prefents a memorial from the British court to the States-General, at the Hague, on the subject of the differences between them and the Stadt holder, p. 350. 7. The bill for difpofing of the crown-lands paffes the Houfe of Peers, p. 486. The Prince of Wales, after an unfuccefsful application to his Majefty for L. 250,000 tu pay his debts, retrenches his expences, and affigns great part of his revenues to trustees, for behoof of his creditors, p. 353. 24. The Prince of Wales's ftud put up to fale, p. 354. 25. The King's three youngest fons enter upon their studies at the university of Gottingen, p. 350. 30. A Maltele fleet, under the command of the Chevalier Emo, bombards the city of Biferta in Barbary, p. 510. Aug. 2. An infane woman attempts to ftab his Majesty as he was alighting from his carriage at the palace-gate, St James's, p. 365. The commiffioners begin to purchase stock towards the reduction of the national debt, p. 453. II. An earthquake felt in a great many places in Scotland, and in the north of England, p. 406. 17. Died at Berlin, in the 74th year of his age, Frederick III. King of Pruffia, P. 414. Great difturbances in Ireland by the White Boys, p. 404, 512. Sept. 1. Convention between his Britannic Majefty and the King of Spain exchanged at London, p. 417. 4. The towns of Hattem and Elbourg evacuated by the inhabitants, and taken poffeffion of by the troops of the ftates of Guelders, p. 507. 19. Lunardi attempts to afcend with his balloon at Newcastle upon Tyne; and Mr Heron, who held one of the cords, is fuddenly drawn up to a confiderable height in the air, suspended from the balloon, and is killed by the fall, p. 457. 26. A treaty of navigation and commerce between France and Britain figned at Versailles, p. 493. 08. 8. A remarkably high tide at Grangemouth, Carron, and other places in the frith of Forth, p. 515. 31. Died at her houfe in Cavendish Square, London, her Royal Highness the Princefs Amelia Sophia Eleanora, the last surviving iffue of George II. and aunt to his prefent Majefty, p. 569. A committee of landed gentlemen, met at Edinburgh, propose fome important alterations in the corn-laws, p. 515. Nov. 8. The commiffioners for the Edinburgh South-bridge fell three of the areas for building fhops, houfes, &c. for the fum of L. 7050, p. 568. 11. Lady Strathmore taken from a house in Oxford-ftreet, London, by her husMr Bowes, in band Mr Bowes, and carried forcibly into the country, p. 609.confequence of an attachment iffued against him, is produced in court, and afterwards committed to the King's-bench prison, p. 611. 27. The first mail coach, according to Mr Palmer's plan, fets off from Edinburgh, p. 568. Dec. 4. Mr Stein diftiller tried before the high court of jufticiary at Edinburgh, for a fuppofed attempt to bribe Mr Bonar, folicitor of excife, and acquitted, p. 615. 11. Remarkable incroachment of the fea at Brighthelmfton, p. 612. 12. An alarming fire in Befs wynd, Edinburgh, p. 618. 22. The Weft-India merchants and planters prefent a memorial to Mr Pitt, relative to the lowering of the duties on rum, in confequence of the commercial treaty with France, p. 613. THE MAGAZINE. SCOTS JANUARY, 1786. CONTENT S PARLIAMENT. Parliament meets: King's || NEW BOOKS. Narrative of Speech 1. Lords on the addrefs in anfwer Narrative of the fufferings of a COLLIER, History of Dr CORAL and his daughter 28. Elegant Letter from MARTINELLI to Sig the lofs of the Mifcellaneous Poems by W. Un Halfewell Indiaman 17. Thoughts by M. P. 22. Cowper 25. Poems by E. Lovibond 27. HISTORICAL AFFAIRS. Ruffia: Expedition to explore Western Ruffia 40 ited Provinces: Anfwer of the States of Holland, &e. to the K. of Pruffia's expoftulation ib. Letters of the Stadtholder 41. Germany: K. of Pruffia's Anfwers to the Emperor's declaration relative to Bavaria 42. Emperor's refeript relative to Free mafons ib. Duties laid on goods imported into the Auftrian Netherlands ib. France: Preamble to the edict for a new loan ib. Bouzards fave people fhipwrecked 43. Eaft Indies: Refolutions, &c. relative to Mr Pitt's bill 44 England: Lofs of the Halfewell 45 Trial of J Hoggan Scotland: Diftillery 47. Procuratorfifcal of Edinburgh against James Macmil lan and John Law 48. 46 Lifts Marriages, Births, Deaths, Preferments, &c. 51. and 52. growing bleffings of peace in the extenfion of trade, the improvement of the revenue, and the increase of the public credit of the nation. For the farther advancement of thofe important objects, I rely on the continuance of that zeal and industry which you manifefted in the laft feffion of parliament. The refolutions which you laid be fore me, as the bafis of an adjustment of the commercial intercourfe between Great Britain and Ireland, have been, by my directions, communicated to the parliament of that kingdom; but no effectual step has hitherto been taken thereupon, which can enable you to make any further progrefs in that falutary work, A Gentlemen Gentlemen of the House of Commons, I have ordered the estimates for the prefent year to be laid before you. It is my earnest wish to enforce œconomy in every department; and you will, I am perfuaded, be equally ready to make fuch provifion as may be neceffary for the public fervice, and particularly for maintaining our naval ftrength on the moft fecure and respectable footing. A bove all, let me recommend to you the eftablishment of a fixed plan for the reduction of the national debt.. The flourishing state of the revenue will, I truft, enable you to effe&t this important mea fure, with little addition to the public burdens. My Lords and Gentlemen, The vigour and refources of the country, fo fully manifefted in its prefent fituation, will encourage you in continuing to give your utmost attention to eve ry object of national concern; particuJarly to the confideration of fuch meafures as may be necessary in order to give further fecurity to the revenue, and to promote and extend as far as poffible, the trade and general induftry of my fubJects." In the House of Lords, Lord Morton moved the addrefs, which he introduced with a compliment to the abilities of administration, under whom our credit was redeemed, commerce extended, and the revenue greatly increased. of our manufactures into the Nether lands. Lord Sydney defended the addrefs. The expreffi ›n, that the Irish propofitions was a falutary work, was certainly a proper one; parliament had thought fo, and declared it by their resolutions. Neither was the Irish bill totally abandoned; the fubject was yet under the confideration of the people of Ireland, and in proportion as it was coolly confidered, its popularity increased. The introduction of India affairs was, in his opinion, extremely improper, and did not at all appertain to the prefent queftion. He trufted no improper impreffion would remain by what the Noble Earl had faid. In refpect to the edict, it was a general, not a particular one. Lord Fortefcue feconded the motion. Earl Fitzwilliam objected to that part of the speech which mentioned the Irish propofitions; it was a delicate fubject, and he thought had better been omitted, as those who reprobated that measure could not agree to that part of the addrefs which called that very measure a falutary work. He however did not mean 10 offer any amendment. He thought it appeared extraordinary, that not a word had been faid of the lituation of affairs in India, The bill lately paffed for the better regulation of India had thrown that country into a tumult, little short of a general infurrection, and the people Joudly complained of the infamous ty. ranny of the law, The Noble Earl paid many compliments to Lord Macartney, and faid he acted nobly in quitting a country where he found a new law eltablished, fubverfive of the conftitution of that government under which he acted. He likewise said a few words with refpect to the edict prohibiting the importation Lords Carlife, Stormont, and Loughborough, took a share in the debate, as did likewife the Lord Chancellor, Lord Walfingham, the Marquis of Carmarthen, and Lord Hillsborough, the laft of whom gave his fentiments on the Irish bill, which he faid was the best that ever was framed for the mutual benefit of both countries.-The address was agreed to without a division. In the House of Commons, Mr John Smith (member for Pontefract) moved the addrefs, which he hoped would pass unanimously. He then entered into a short commentary on the several paragraphs of the speech, by way of enforcing the comfortable impreffion they must make on the feelings of every individual who had the happiness, the honour, the profperity, and the glory of the British empire at heart, Mr Addington felt a confidence in feconding the motion. The bleffings we had derived from the short interval of peace, by the extension of our commerce, and the increase of our revenue, fpake fo plainly to every mind, that we must all exult on the pleafing affurance we had now received, of all thofe feuds and dif agreements, which fo lately threatened the peace of Europe, being dispersed, and public tranquillity once more restored to a pleafing fecurity. When the embers of war once break out, God only knową how far they may extend; and it furely muft be confolation to this country to know there is not even a poffibility of our being speedily involved in it again. Re fpecting the prefent ftate of the propo fitions fent to Ireland, it was to be lamented, that mens prejudices fhould fo far far cloud their judgement, as to occafion the fmallest delay; and that, from an infidious idea of its being only an attempt to barter commerce for conftitution, an idea that was as fallacious as it would be impolitic, this falutary measure had met with fo much obftruction; yet he had no doubt but when the Irish confidered the fubject more maturely, and came to weigh well the advantage of being united to this country, by the bond of pure friendship, and the indiffoluble tie of mutual intereft, they would fhew as much avidity to embrace the measure, as they had now fhewn reluctance or diftruft. The establishing a fund for the discharge of the national debt, was a circumftance, from its boldness and very great confequence, that could not fail to ftrike eve ry one with a mixture of surprise, hope, and doubt. But when he reflected on the ability and integrity of the Rt Hon. Gentleman at the head of the Treafury, when he confidered that the enormous incumbrances of the late ruinous war were now ascertained, and that the flourishing state of our revenue was more than adequate to the exigencies of this burthen, great as it was, he could not with-hold his tribute of praise to the talents that had effected this falutary end, and join with bis moft cordial wifhes for its further fuccefs. If, in the execution of this great object, any small additional fupplies were neceffary, he could not help premifing, that Gentlemen would cheerfully concur in granting them; for this was a demand for the exprefs purpofe of diminishing thofe burthens at present fo grievous to the public; and which, by a faithful application, muft every day operate to their ease and advantage. Lord Surrey faid, he would claim the indulgence of the Houfe, whilft he offered a few fentiments to their confideration, on which he meant to ground an amendment. As he understood the addrefs contained ftrong expreffions of approbation and confidence in minifters, he could by no means concur in that part of it. From what fhould a minifter derive confidence but from the fuccefs and profperity of his meafures? And was this the cafe in the prefent inftance? One of the firft measures of the Rt Hon. Gentleman was his Eaft India bill, of which we heard not one word, though it is to be prefumed, if good had been the confequence, he would not have been filent. The next measure of confequence was one in which he had his hearty concurrence, namely, a parliamentary reform. Did he fucceed in that? Again, in his commercial treaty with Ireland, was he more fuccessful?' If from these failures you can fairly infer the ability you afcribe, then is the compliment juft; bot till then he muft with-hold his confent from a praife he by no means thought him intitled to. The ftate of the public funds he could by no means impute to the mo tives gentlemen on the oppofite fide afcribed it to. He would fooner conclude it was owing to the failure of their fchemes, than any fuccefs that attended their measures, for that was no where to be found. The commercial treaty with France had been long depending, but from the late acquifition of a Gentleman, he did not fee in his place, (Mr Eden :—here fomebody asking which was his place, caufed a general laugh), he fuppofed it might be more likely to be finished; though he confeffed he had no fanguine expectations of the great advantages that this nation could derive from fuch a treaty. That part of the Speech which recommended an increafe of our navy, met with his moft hearty approba tion; for that was a subject on which no well-wifher to his country could differ. He then moved, "That the paragraph refpecting Ireland fhould be omitted:" in which he was feconded by Captain Minchin. Mr Fox proceeded to draw the attention of the Houfe to the ftate of this country, as it relates to all foreign connections. It was not his wifh to take up their time by futile comments on the contents of the Speech or Addrefs: he was as ready to exprefs his fentiments of refpe&t and gratitude to his Majesty as any member among them; but it was his duty to that Houfe, and to his conftituents, to call their attention to fome circumftances omitted in the Speech, which nearly concerned the welfare, nay the exiftence of this State. It was a circumftance well known to every individual throughout the kingdom, that France had been for these two years past strengthening her political power by every alliance and treaty that human wifdom could devife; and with a fuccefs that marked no other period or miniftry throughout all Europe within a century. The treaty fhe had lately concluded with Holland, whilft it acquired her a new and powerful maritime ally, fecured to her, on a A 2 more ed of fo valuable a patrimony. Why, therefore, not acquaint them with this league? Had it been between the King of Pruffia, the Elector of Saxony, and any other Elector, I am perfuaded it would have been noticed. He begged leave to recur to that part of his speech where he adverted to the treaty between France and Holland; and this for the fake of noticing a circumftance, which might, in the minds of fome people, exculpate the minifter from a total neglect on that head; and this was, that Sir James Harris, to whofe abilities he would bear teftimony, and whose friendship be was proud to boat, did actually deliver in a remonftrance against that treaty; but unfortunately not till the day after it was figned. He muft again lament the fupinenefs of administration, towards strengthening this empire by foreign alliances; and the more fo, when he reflected on the indefatigable conduct of France in that refpect. Every day almost gave us fresh proof of her diligence and fuccefs; and it was with regret that he observed the footing she had obtained in the Baltic, by obtaining the port of Gottenburgh from Sweden. It gave him pleasure to mention, because it was a measure devoutly to be withed, that a treaty of com merce with Ruffia was now actually on foot with this country. The relative fi tuation of both countries was fuch as could never interfere with each other, and a union of interest might be established between them, that would redound greatly to the advantage of both: however, it was fome alleviation, to know that another treaty was depending between the Empress and France, and of the fame nature. This led him to confider the negotiations we had had lately with France on the fame fubject. About two years ago we entered into preliminaries with France, whereon to build fome commercial treaty. Thefe two years have been fuffered to elapfe without any thing being done. This treaty expired on the aft of January 1786, at which time Mr Crawford came home no wifer than he went. There were only two ways occurred to him as proper in this meafure. The firft was, by paffing it through the regular channel of our ambaffador at Paris, and which, with fo refined a Court as that of France, he apprehended would be the most acceptable. The other was, by appointing commiffioners on both fides to investigate and more permanent footing, the friendship of her former connections; for Spain had acceded to that treaty. And during this time, what had been the conduct of our miniftry? Had they taken any one ftep to prevent fuch a measure? He would not fay that it was in their power to prevent it; but had they taken any meafures to counterbalance or counteract this confederacy, he would call it, against this country? for it was founded in a rooted jealoufy and determination to oppofe the maritime confequence of this kingdom. On the conclufion of the peace there was an opportunity of effecting fome connections which would have served as a counterpoife to this alarming one of France and Holland, and in the propriety of which the Rt Hon. Gentleman then agreed with him, and that was with the Emprefs of Ruffia on the fettlement of the Crimea. But instead of cultivating new alliances on our part, or giving any oppofition to theirs, we weakly and ridiculoufly were led into a league, he might fay, by the intrigues of France, which could tend to no one purpose but that of her advantage. What was it, that enabled France, during the late war, to make fuch a figure againft this country? Her perfect eafe in refpect to her neighbourly connections. Having nothing to fear from them, the whole of her expenditures were applied to her na vy: her garrifons neglected, her fortifi cations unattended; in short, her army reduced even in time of war. It is evi dent then, that our intereft muft lie in diffeminating as much as poffible thefe connections of France. But how have we done that? Why, truly, by entering into a Pruffian league, that must inevitably fow diffenfions between the Courts of Vienna and London, and leave France at perfect ease on all future occafions: and no intereft is held out on our part to caufe that formidable rival of her's, the House of Auftria, to take fuch steps as might divert her operations against us. This is the only confequence of that league. But why not mention it in the Speech? If the cause and confequence is done away by addrefs or fortune, I shall be glad but I fhould be forry to fuppofe, that the Electorate of Hanover was deemed by his Majefty's minifters of fo little confequence as not to be worth notice. This country has ever proved its affection to the Hanover family, and would not tamely fit by to see it defpoil prepare |